Knight in Shyness Armour

Oh, gee, um …hi. (soft voice) I’m, …well, would you mind very much if I don’t run off to slay dragons today? (avoids eye contact) I hope you still like me.

Megan in Zimbabwe says, “Meet Champ, the baby orphaned pangolin! I took this photo of him about a month ago – his handler Ellen at Tikki Hywood Trust told me yesterday that he’s up to 2.5 kgs. He was orphaned as a little baby because his mom was killed by poachers. These animals are considered royal game in Zimbabwe, but even so, very little is known about them because they are very quiet and just roll into a ball when they are scared.
The nice ladies at Tikki Hywood Trust have also posted a couple of videos on YouTube, including one nice shot of Champ’s insanely long tongue. And one with him playing with a nekkid cat!

“very little is known about them because they are very quiet and just roll into a ball when they are scared” – I get this mental image of researchers in labcoats trying to get to know a shy little pangolin by striking up a conversation, notepads all ready, but the pangolin, flustered, just rolls into a ball and refuses to answer any questions.

I want to announce try outs for my new Poacher’s baseball team.
I want to encourage encourage all poachers to come on out for the spring try outs.
(If I get enough poachers we can all have a few swings ! Batter UP !)

1) Poachers should be shot.
2) There’s certain cultures that would kill every last endangered species if they’re led to believe animal tusks, testicles or spleens will grat them sexual powers or cleanse their spirit. Something has to change on the demand side.